HE MAY no longer be in the flush of youth, but Lee Bowyer remains a highly effective midfield player.

That’s the view of Roy Aitken, who disputed the theory Bowyer, at 32, couldn’t get around like he used to.

“He’s the sort of player who wears his heart on his sleeve and the Birmingham fans will enjoy watching him because he’s got a high energy performance,” said the joint first-team coach.

“We know of his stats because we do a lot of diligence on each player and he covers as much ground now as he always has.

“He’s a natural athlete. He will be in the top 10 per cent of midfield players who run about the pitch, as far as distance covered in a match.

“He has got great energy and his overall appetite for the game and appetite to want to play is what he’s been brought here for and, hopefully, he can give us some goals from the middle of the park as well.”

Bowyer has signed on loan from West Ham United until the season’s end.

He wasn’t registered in time to make his debut in tonight’s FA Cup third-round tie against Wolves and he only began training at Wast Hills yesterday.

Aitken commented: “He trained, and did great. He got to know the players, although he has known a few of them over the years anyway.”

Bowyer had only featured in seven games for the Hammers this season, scoring one goal, in the club’s 4-1 Carling Cup win over Macclesfield.